The Trustees are currently examining possibilities for the future development of the Hall building. The report of a feasibility study undertaken by Hewitt Studios in 2013 can be found here. Unfortunately, the value of the proposed rebuild at over £2 million, has been  unrealistic to finance in the current funding climate for community buildings, particularly outside areas of deprivation.

The Trustees are now considering a phased redevelopment of the Hall including renovation of the existing main hall space, with purpose built annexes or extensions to provide accommodation for Freshford Pre-school and Freshford doctor's surgery. The Trustees feel a phased redevelopment will be more achievable as different aspects  of the project can be implemented as and when relevant funding becomes available. The first step in this process is to gain planning permission or a Community Right to Build Order for the redeveloped Hall. Planning permission or the equivalent Community Right to Build Order for communities with a Neighbourhood Plan such as Freshford and Limpley Stoke is a necessary prerequisite for all grant applications for capital works. 

This will reduce the personal liability of the trustees  prior to the Hall engaging in major contracts for the Development project. Further benefits of the CIO structure, include providing access to additional grants and social enterprise loans, which are only available to community organisations with an incorporated legal structure. The Hall trustees are currently aware of Community Buildings Project Support grant funding made available by the Department for Communities and Local Government, which would be suitable to fund the professional fees necessary to take the Hall's redevelopment plans to a Community Right to Build Order (instead of planning permission). A report explaining the benefits of converting to a CIO in more detail is attached to this web page.

to transact the following business:

AGENDA

1. Welcome and apologies

2. Background information

3. Specific proposals

It is proposed that Freshford Village Memorial Hall change its legal structure to become a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in order to offer greater protection from liability for the trustees prior to major redevelopment works, and to allow the Memorial Hall to apply for grant funding restricted to organisations with an incorporated legal structure and that the trustees consider and vote on the following resolutions to this effect.

1. Changing to a CIO

THAT the trustees hereby resolve that it is in the interests of the Charity to convert from an unincorporated association to a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).

2. Adoption of the ACRE Model CIO Constitution for Village Halls 2016

THAT the ACRE Model CIO Constitution for Village Halls 2016 (as attached below) be approved to become the governing document of the charitable incorporated organisation.

3. Appointment of Trustees

THAT, the following persons be appointed to become the first trustees of the charitable incorporated organisation:

Claudia Towner (elected trustee), Peter Jones (Horticultural Society user representative), Caroline Villiers (Freshford School PTA user representative), Martin Walker (elected trustee), Philip Haile (elected trustee) Alexandra Malir (Freshford School governors representative), Nicolas Stevens (Friends of Freshford user representative), John Adler (Freshford Parish Council user representative), Joan Benfield (Badminton groups user representative), Penelope Blamey (Freshford Music and Drama group user representative), and Chloe Alexander (Freshford and Limpley Stoke Community Association user representative).

Under the terms of the new Constitution, further trustees may be proposed by the inhabitants of Freshford and the surrounding area not less than fourteen days before the date of the meeting. An individual wishing to propose the election of a person as a charity trustee, should contact the current Committee Chair, Claudia Towner to request a nomination form.

4. Registration of the CIO

THAT the trustees are hereby authorised and directed to take the necessary steps to register the new charitable incorporated organisation with the Charity Commission using the ACRE Model CIO Constitution for Village Halls 2016.

5. Transfer of land, assets and liabilities from the Charity to the new CIO

THAT the trustees are hereby authorised and directed to transfer the land, assets and liabilities from the Charity to the new CIO, appointing a legal advisor where necessary.

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 121(2) OF THE CHARITIES ACT 2011

The trustees of Freshford Village Memorial Hall (registered charity 304545) give notice that they propose to transfer the freehold of the land occupied by Freshford Village Memorial Hall, its car park and playing fields currently vested in the Official Custodian for Charities to a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Freshford Village Memorial Hall. The plan indicating the land affected by this notice is included below; alternatively a copy of the plan may be requested in writing.

Any representations or comments in relation to the proposed transfer of the land held on charitable trust (edged in red) should be sent for consideration to the following address and must be received by no later than Monday 24^th July 2017.

Dr Claudia Towner
Chair of Trustees, Fairlawn, Park Corner, Freshford, Bath, BA2 7UP. management@freshfordvillagehall.co.uk

First published: 23rd June 2017